Embracing Spectrum: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Journeys in Aesthetic Medicine: A Kaleidoscope of Identity

Purpose

This synaptic systemised review critically examines the provision of aesthetic medical care to LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more) individuals, assessing both the clinical practices and the educational frameworks that guide interactions with LGBTQIA+ patients in aesthetic settings.

Methods

Following PRISMA-S guidelines, a comprehensive review was conducted, initially identifying 159 potentially relevant articles. Upon stringent full-text review, 33 studies met the inclusion criteria and were subject to an in-depth thematic analysis. The scope encompassed qualitative studies, quantitative analyses, and a cross section of interdisciplinary research, predominantly from Western settings.

Results

The analysis distilled four principal themes: the imperative of identity affirmation in aesthetic interventions, substantial barriers to inclusive and empathetic care, the critical need for patient empowerment, and the existing deficiencies within medical education regarding LGBTQIA+ care. These themes highlight a complex interplay between the clinical aspirations of LGBTQIA+ individuals and the current capacity of aesthetic medicine to cater to this diversity.

Conclusions

There is a pressing need for a paradigmatic shift towards more inclusive, competent, and sensitive aesthetic medical care for LGBTQIA+ patients. It underscores the necessity of reform in medical education and advocates for policy changes that promote a more equitable healthcare environment. This research serves as a call to action, emphasizing the ethical imperative to integrate comprehensive LGBTQIA+ care competencies into aesthetic medicine curricula and practice.

Level of Evidence IV

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